Board of Directors

The Friends Board of Directors has a strong commitment to serving the many constituents of our organization. But first and foremost, they focus their energies on those who take advantage of our programs and services.

Our Board represents a cross-section of our community and has a passion for our organization and those we serve. Board Members work hard to promote long-term sustainability of the organization and its vision for the future.

Aletha Coleman, CPA – President
Tax Attorney and CPA (retired); Community Volunteer

Kelly Bavor – Co-Vice President
Educator and Community Volunteer

Annette Bialson, JD – Co-Vice President
Bialson, Bergen and Schwab – Founder & COO
Former Chair of Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission; President of Planning & Community Development Dept. League of CA Cities

Steve Reller – Secretary
R&M Properties – President

Carolyn Amster, CPA, JD, LLM – Treasurer
Burr, Pilger, Mayer, Inc. – Tax Partner

Lauren Angelo
Software Engineer; Community Volunteer

Mariaelena Comaroto
Transformations by Mariaelena – Business Owner

Steve Emslie
Goodyear Peterson Hayward & Assoc. – Regional Director;
City of Palo Alto Planning & Community Environment – former Director

Andrea Helft
bluGloss – Co-Founder

Paul Hopkins – Co-Chair of JMZ Initiative
DuPont Fabros Technology – VP of Sales

Marshall Koch – Co-Chair of JMZ Initiative
MRK Asset Management, LLC – President

Mark Murray
Lane Partners – Principal

Anna Richardson White
Consumer Communications Director

Jane Rytina, MBA, MA (Honors)
Marketing Specialist; Palo Alto Resident

Chris Skarakis
Blip – Co-Founder; Community Volunteer

Tim Stitt
Vance Brown Builders

Roxy Rapp – Emeritus